About this episode

This episode discusses how the redesign of The Flash in 1955 revitalized the comic book industry and led to the creation of Marvel Comics.

In 1955, comic book companies were struggling to stay afloat after a rough five years of censorship, a changing readership, and the invention of television. During an editorial meeting at National Periodical Publications, somebody suggested bringing back the company’s superheroes. National settled on a redesign of an old character—The Flash—and the world would never be the same. This created Marvel Comics and the Marvel Age. Michael Lites, Bill Field, Alex Grand, Kevin Garcia, Flaming Carrot ...

People in this episode

Host: Alex Grand

Topics covered

• comic book history
• The Flash
• Silver Age
• San Diego Comic Con
• Marvel Comics
• censorship
• television impact

Keywords

• comic book industry
• The Flash
• Silver Age
• Marvel Comics
• censorship
• television
• San Diego Comic Con

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Periodical Publications

Books & works: The Flash

More episodes of Comic Book Historians

• John Broome & Arnold Drake interview by David Armstrong · June 1, 2026 · 39 min
• Jim Shooter Biographical Interview Part 3 of 6 by Alex Grand & Jim Thompson · April 1, 2026 · 1h 42m
• Martin Filchock interview by David Armstrong · March 2, 2026 · 32 min
• Jim Shooter Biographical Interview Part 2 of 6 by Alex Grand & Jim Thompson · February 2, 2026 · 1h 42m
• Jim Shooter Biographical Interview Part 1 of 6 by Alex Grand & Jim Thompson · January 1, 2026 · 1h 48m
• Creig Flessel & Fred Guardineer interview by David Armstrong · December 1, 2025 · 34 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Comic Book Historians podcast page.